Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Shrimp Ceviche Tostada at Mariscos La Jaibita in Bossier City

Mariscos La Jaibita (roughly translated "The Little Crawfish Seafood") is a Mexican seafood restaurant located at 2292 Barksdale Boulevard in Bossier City, just south of I-20. While the restaurant also serves more common Mexican fare like tacos and fajitas, the focus is clearly seafood. When my wife ordered the Vera Cruz Seafood Cocktail pictured above, she asked "What kinds of seafood are in the Vera Cruz?" The waitress thought for a moment before simply replying "todos," or "all of them." This delicious (and enormous) concoction included fish, shrimp, octopus, oysters, avocado, cilantro, a delicious salsa base...and even a cherry on top. At $13.25, the Vera Cruz Seafood Cocktail is one of the pricier menu items at Mariscos La Jaibita, but it easily measures a quart in volume and could be shared by two adventurous seafood lovers.

Also recommended are the ceviche tostada appetizers, available in fish, shrimp, or octopus. The favorite among my group was the fish - a delicious blend of fresh, white fish meat, lime juice, salsa, cilantro, and avocado piled high on a crunchy tostada. The shrimp ceviche was also very good. Affordable at $6.50, the tostada appetizers are large enough to order as entrees. I tried the shrimp fajitas and found them to be a good value at $12 - large, tail-and-shell-on grilled shrimp served atop a mound of caramelized peppers and onions and served with tortillas, rice, beans, and guacamole.

After eating, take a moment and explore the carniceria (a Mexican-style butcher shop) located next door, which also sells imported candies, snacks, sodas, etc. that you won't find too many places around town. It pays off to try new things in Shreveport-Bossier's rapidly-diversifying restaurant scene. Maybe next time, I'll have the octopus?